I’m loving Photoshop Lightroom 3 and all the publishing add-ons. This post was actually created within Lightroom during the “Export” process. I thought it would be interesting to show you the image I created today for my client Christmas Cards. I got the idea from a Planet Photoshop Christmas Lights Tutorial. I have both PS Elements 8 and PS CS3. I could do everything in the tutorial with Elements except vary the angle of the lights as they were drawn in with the brush tool. Cool effect. I think it’s fairly convincing. Let me know what you think.

Original Image

After Christmas Lights Photoshop Tutorial
Windows 7 isn’t all that new any more, but I wanted to share my upgrade experience and some of my favorite things about Microsoft’s newest OS after having used it for the past couple of months.
As I suspected, the hot topic surrounding Windows 7 upgrades was just how far one could go toward performing a clean install with upgrade media. First to clear up a couple of technical terms. Upgrade media are the disks that Microsoft sells that allow you to install Windows 7, but only activate if you have a qualifying installation of a previous version of Windows. In contrast the Full version of windows by definition can be instlalled on a clean hard drive with no previous Windows install present. The other big thing is that Upgrade media costs less than the full version.
Here’s how my upgrade went. Read More→
Well, that four months sure went by fast! I placed my pre-order with Amazon.com for Windows 7 Home Premium back on June 28th. I just got the shipping notification and my copy should be here right on time tomorrow. Yay!
Since I’m running Windows XP Pro I’m going to be doing what Microsoft refers to as a custom install. My 160 GB laptop drive has 25 GB free so I’ve decided to do the install on a clean drive (hopefully). I haven’t found a definite answer that this is even possible or not.
At any rate I placed an order this morning for a new 320 GB drive for my laptop, expecting to get it on Friday with my 2-Day Prime shipping. The delivery esitmate is Monday the 26th. My stuff almost always ships the same day. I placed the order early this morning so I’m wondering if all the Windows 7 shipments are slowing up the normal pace of things at Amazon?
Anyway, I’m definitely making the move to Seven, but I’m going to move in deliberate steps. Hopefully someone else will have experience doing an XP upgrade to a new drive over the weekend. If that’s you I’d love to hear from you! I will return the favor as soon as my new drive is delivered.

I’m way behind in updating my Windows 7 experience. There’s a good reason! I have had no further experience with Windows 7. No, I haven’t given up on it or changed my mind about how good an operating system I think it is. Fact is I got busy over the summer and had to go back to my XP drive.
Another quick Windows 7 beta testing update. It’s only fair to report the bad with the good and I seem to have found a bug. I’m not sure but this one may be a carry over from Vista.
Last week I wrapped up an event video project for a client. They wanted ten copies of the movie on DVD. I burned the first two or three with no problem, then the software (Sony DVD Architect Studio 4.0) locked up, or so I thought. Turns out it was looking for the optical drive to no avail. Apparently Windows 7 had eaten it! Read More→
This is an update to my Windows 7 experience and a look at one of my favorite features. I’ve been using Windows 7 full time for about a week now and it’s really beginning to feel like home. The virtual tour software that I use in my business installed and runs like a champ, so unless Microsoft really screws up the pricing model when they release Windows 7 (i.e. make it too expensive) then I don’t see any reason why I’d have to go back to XP. Read More→
I think it’s ready too Kelly!
Kelly Poe is a big fan of Windows 7. So big he started a site to campaign for the release of Windows 7, the newest operating system from Microsoft. I just voted yes!

As Kelly says though, I want Microsoft to take all the necessary time it needs to make sure it is fully baked. Just don’t put it off waiting on more Vista revenue. It ain’t gonna happen! Read More→
When Windows Vista was launched I was just starting my Middle Tennessee and Northern Alabama Virtual Tour company. I was advised to avoid Vista at that time because of the propriatery virtual tour and photo stitching software that I would be using.
Fast forward a couple of years and I still have only touched one system running Vista. I’m going to be a bit more brave with Windows 7. I downloaded the beta over the weekend and installed it on my old system. Read More→
The best way to “think it” is to “ink it”! Since becoming a student of learning and personal improvement I have discovered that it is vital to capture ideas on paper or electronically for later evaluation and use.
As part of a Dave Lakhani coaching group I learned about Mind Mapping software by a company called MindJet. Dave is a “rabid fan” and although I’ve only recently tried the software I can say that it is awesome!
I just learned about a webinar that Dave is doing for MindJet. Here are the details:
The webinar is called “Use The Power of an Hour & MindManager to Map 2007 Goals” and will show people how they can become more focused, and efficient in achieving business and personal goals by investing just one productive hour per day.
Dave plans to talk about his powerful formula for maximizing every hour, show people how to create what he calls “Fearsome Focus®” to maximize “personal effectiveness, help others identify and control once and for all the distractions that keep them from reaching their goals and create a “Master Life Vision Map.”
Here are the details, if you’re interested in attending:
Wednesday, December 13th
1:00- 2:00pm Pacific Standard Time
http://www.mindjet.com/us/company/events/webinars.php?s=3
Check it out!
Brett Weaver
http://www.brettweaver.com